For inquiries, contact karen@thedesigntourist.com. This is my official and only email address for business correspondence. Please verify that all communication comes only from that email.

Watch The Design Tourist Airing on

Why You Shouldn’t Choose a Hotel Based on Pretty Interiors Alone

Now, it’s understandable that the modern traveler wants to have unique stays, even if it’s just in a hotel room. You’re on a trip; you want totally different scenery, and that includes the room you’re in too. But you should honestly keep in mind here that hotel photos are dangerous because they make it way too easy to forget the more important stuff (like comfort). For example, here, a warm-looking lobby, a nice bathroom mirror, a rooftop shot at golden hour, a bed with perfect pillows- yeah, of course, that all looks good. 

That’s the point. Hotels know people want to picture themselves there, walking into the lobby with a cute outfit, getting ready before dinner, taking photos, having a drink somewhere that looks good in the background. And honestly, that part does count. Nobody books a weekend away hoping the hotel feels bland and sad. But you shouldn’t fall head over heels because of a few photos or TikTok videos; honestly, judging based on that is an awful decision!

Even a Beautiful Room Still has to Function

Well, some rooms look amazing until someone actually starts unpacking. There’s nowhere to put a suitcase except the floor; the bathroom lighting makes getting ready oddly difficult; the outlet is nowhere near the bed, and the shower setup looks nice but feels awkward to use. And yes, this can be a reality; sometimes it’s just a tiny room with quirky wallpaper, but it’s uncomfortable. Clearly, that charm wears off within minutes of being in that room.

Plus, the Location Does a Lot of the Heavy Lifting

As you might have guessed here, a hotel that’s too far from everything can make a short trip feel more tiring than it needs to be. Like every coffee, dinner, drink, shop, or walk turns into a little decision. How? Well, maybe you have to drive and then find a parking spot. Rideshare? Walk farther than planned? Well, that gets old, especially on a weekend when time already feels limited.

So, if you’ve ever been to Charleston, then you might already know that this is really the kind of place where location changes the trip. Staying near King Street, restaurants, rooftops, shops, and walkable streets makes it easier to enjoy the city without constantly checking directions. Therefore, choosing a historic area like this, you have access to everything, and you don’t even have to drive either. So you’ll want to look into options like The Nickel Hotel, a boutique hotel in Charleston, since it’s in a great location. And of course, bonus points for being picture-perfect too.

Good Service Shouldn’t Feel Like a Luxury Extra

Nobody needs staff to act like every guest is royalty. That can feel awkward anyway. But basic helpfulness goes a long way. Besides, you’re spending money to stay there; you do deserve good service! It really doesn’t matter how pretty a room is if you’re not getting treated right by staff; there’s no point being there. Bad service can make even the nicest lobby feel cold. 

It’s hard to enjoy beautiful interiors when asking a normal question feels like bothering someone. A hotel should feel welcoming in a real way, not just designed to look welcoming in photos.

Picture of Contributor

Contributor

Share the post on social media

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Pinterest

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Sign up for the latest travel news and insider tips

[mc4wp_form id=882]

Latest blog posts

Karen LeBlanc

Karen LeBlanc is an award-winning travel journalist and storyteller, honored with two Telly Awards and four North American Travel Journalists Association (NATJA) awards for The Design Tourist travel show. As the show’s host, producer, and writer, Karen takes viewers beyond the guidebooks to explore the culture, craft, cuisine, and creativity that define the world’s most fascinating destinations.

2025 NATJA Award

2024 NATJA Award

2023 NATJA Award

SATW

NATJA

IFWTWA